NRC unveils container rail service on APM terminals-Ibadan route
The Nigerian Railway Corporation has officially flagged off container traffic on the standard gauge rail line from APM Terminals to Moniya Freight Yard in Ibadan.
The Managing Director of NRC, Kayode Opeipfa, announced this via his official X account on Monday.
“I am indeed delighted to be here in my official capacity as the MD NRC to formally perform the flag-off of the APMT Container Traffic on the standard gauge rail line,” he said.
The NRC and APMT have a long history of container traffic operations to hinterland locations such as Kaduna and Kano, but these were primarily on the narrow gauge rail lines.
However, the movement of containers by rail on the standard gauge line commenced in September 2023, with logistics companies such as Bueno Logistics and Transco Africa Logistics pioneering the transition.
“Two additional lines are at an advanced stage of completion in APMT, which will bring the total lines within APMT’s standard gauge corridor to three lines, while this milestone event marks the commencement of container traffic expansion on the standard gauge rail line from APMT Terminal to Moniya Ibadan Freight Yard. This will facilitate import and export of commodities with adequate convenience and hitch-free vehicle movement,” Opeipfa said.
He also added, “Starting the Container traffic is scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with each train trip carrying 35 wagons of 35 by 40ft or 35 wagons of 70 by 20ft Containers or a mixture of both sizes. The record made available to us shows that NRC moved 362 327 tonnages of Containers imported and exported in and out of APM Terminal both on the Standard and Narrow gauges in the year 2024”.
“Records made available to us show that NRC moved 362,327 tonnes of container imports and exports in and out of APM Terminal both on the standard and narrow gauges in the year 2024,” he noted.
The development aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to revitalizing and modernizing the Nigerian railway system.
“The Federal Government under the leadership of Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is fully committed to the revitalization and modernization project of the Nigerian Railway Corporation for an efficient rail system,” he said.
“As part of the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President, this is one of the surest ways to address the cost of goods, the standard of living, and multi-dimensional poverty.”
He also extended appreciation to APM Terminals for its collaboration with the NRC in advancing the logistics sector.
